Sex trafficking in Malaysia

Malaysian citizen and foreign victims are sex trafficked into and out of all major cities and states and federal territories of Malaysia. They are raped and physically and psychologically harmed in brothels, homes, and various business and work sites within these administrative divisions.

Sex trafficking in Malaysia is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in Malaysia. Malaysia is a country of origin, destination and transit for sex trafficking.

Sex trafficking victims in the country are from all ethnic groups in Malaysia and foreigners. Children,[1][2] people in rural areas and or poverty, minorities,[3] migrants, and refugees[4][5] are vulnerable. Malaysian citizens, primarily women and girls,[6] have been sex trafficked into other countries in Asia and different continents.[7] Many are forced into prostitution and or marriage[2][8] and unfree labour.[9] Victims are threatened and experience physically and psychologically abuse.[3] They contract sexually transmitted diseases from rapes. Some are coerced to be in online pornographic films. The perpetrators are often part of or collude with criminal syndicates.[10] They increasing use the internet to deceive victims.[3][7]

The government of Malaysia has been criticized for its response to sex trafficking. Corruption and impunity are pervasive. Officials and police have been complicit in trafficking.[9][5][11] Law enforcement have also failed to recognize victims and other indications of trafficking, and have treated cases as immigration violations.[5] Though some anti-trafficking efforts, such as public service announcements,[5] are carried out, progress has been limited by poor border management,[10] weak victim protections,[5] inadequate law enforcement practices, low convictions,[12] and other factors.[9]

  1. ^ "Govt studying best mechanism to address child sex trafficking - Wan Azizah". Bernama. February 22, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Stop human trafficking in Malaysia, DAP MP tells gov't". Malaysia Kini. December 21, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Educate the young about human trafficking". NST. February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "NGO Report: Malaysia Now a Destination for Sex-Trafficking of Rohingya Girls". Benar News. December 20, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e "US penalises Malaysia for shameful human trafficking record". The Guardian. June 20, 2014.
  6. ^ "Anambra Indigenes Living in Malaysia Raise Alarm Over Sex Trafficking Of Their Women". Kanyi Daily. 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Slavery in Malaysia". The ASEAN Post. August 26, 2019.
  8. ^ "Rohingya women, girls being trafficked to Malaysia for marriage". Al Jazeera. May 8, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c "Malaysia must wake up to its human trafficking problem". New Mandala. May 24, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "U.S. to downgrade Malaysia in annual human trafficking report: source". Reuters. June 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Malaysia considers amending human trafficking law after U.S. report". Reuters. June 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Malaysia's human trafficking court draws flak after just eight convictions in first year". South China Morning Post. September 4, 2019.